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serial

0 antonyms and opposites of serial, grouped by meaning.

Adj — Arranged in, or having to do with, a series or repeated succession.

How to use serial

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

serial killer serial number serial format

Etymology

Formed from "series" plus "-al," modelled on Latin seriālis.

Full origin of serial →

Frequently asked questions

What does “serial” mean?

The word “serial” means arranged in, or having to do with, a series or repeated succession. In plain terms, something happening repeatedly in a sequence, or released bit by bit rather than all at once.

How do you pronounce “serial”?

“Serial” is pronounced SEER-rih-uhl (/ˈsɪɹ.i.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “serial” in a sentence?

Here is “serial” used in a sentence: “He was investigated as a suspected serial offender.”

What part of speech is “serial”?

Depending on how it is used, “serial” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “serial” come from?

The word “serial” comes from Latin. Formed from "series" plus "-al," modelled on Latin seriālis.

Is “serial” a common word?

“Serial” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “serial” have?

“Serial” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: arranged in, or having to do with, a series or repeated succession.

What is the difference between 'serial' and 'cereal'?

They are homophones that sound alike but differ in meaning. 'Serial' relates to a series or successive installments, while 'cereal' is a breakfast food or grain crop.

What is the difference between 'serial' and 'series'?

'Serial' is chiefly an adjective meaning arranged in a series, or a noun for a story released in installments. 'Series' is a noun meaning a set of related things or episodes considered as a group.

Why is it called a 'serial number'?

A serial number is a unique identifier assigned in sequence, using the adjective sense of 'serial' meaning arranged in a series. Each item receives its own number in an ordered succession.

Why is a repeat offender called a 'serial killer'?

The word 'serial' here means occurring in a repeated succession. A serial killer is someone who commits a series of similar crimes over time, one after another.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.